“The international ice hockey Federation asked the IOC to allow athletes from Russia perform at the Olympics

– The international ice hockey Federation (IIHF) has opposed collective responsibility in sport and for permission to “clean” the Russian athletes to compete at the Olympics.

“The IIHF Council was of the unanimous view that all “clean” athletes, including from Russia, should be allowed to represent his country at the Olympic winter games 2018 in Pyeongchang”, – reads the statement of the IIHF on its website.

In the Federation recognize the need to confront doping in sports, however, claim that “participation in the Olympic games should not be used to punish many for the actions of the few.”

“In addition, the efforts of the IOC to provide an appropriate punitive measures for Russia threaten the “health” of hockey as a sport”, – said in a statement.

“Russia’s role in the expansion and development of hockey should not downplay. This country is the Foundation on which rests the legacy of our sport,” said IIHF.

The statement noted that the IIHF, in cooperation with Federation of hockey of Russia and the Kontinental hockey League initiated a test program which tested about 400 players from December 2016.

“We wanted to clearly identify our position for the IOC that we are against collective punishment, unfairly punishing many Russian athletes, who have no relation to doping,” said IIHF President rené Fasel.